Positioned between Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill, this bright two-bedroom apartment marries Victorian proportions with beautiful contemporary interventions. Light floods in through sash windows, illuminating a carefully considered palette of zellige tiles, terrazzo and quartzite. Quiet Dunsmure Road is a short walk from Clissold Park and Woodberry Wetlands, as well as the much-loved shops of Stoke Newington Church Street.
The Tour
Set back from the tree-lined street behind a well-maintained front garden, the building's traditional frontage belies the contemporary nature of the renovations within. A tiled path leads to the front door, which opens to a communal stairwell that ascends to this first-floor apartment.
Entry is to a welcoming hallway clad in a warm, handwoven wallpaper. Bespoke built-in joinery added here includes neatly concealed cupboards and high-level open shelving painted in 'Scarlet N Rust' from Paint and Paper Library.
The living room and dining room/second bedroom lie at the front of the plan. The former has wonderfully high ceilings and two generous south-facing sash windows with contemporary bifold shutters; an exceptional quality of light floods in throughout the day. Open shelves have been built into the alcoves on one wall, and a central fireplace has been adorned with beautiful zellige tiles.
The dining room can be separated from the living space by two sliding pocket doors, which can be locked for privacy when required. A second shuttered sash window can be found here, along with an original ceiling rose and simple cornicing.
Along the hallway and a half-level down lies the kitchen. Meticulously designed, the space utilises a palette of hardwearing quartzite worktops, zellige tiles and engineered oak floors. Dark wooden cabinetry creates a subtle contrast, and open shelving works to form a rustic larder of sorts. A large window over the sink frames views over neighbouring gardens. Built-in appliances are all new and include a gas hob, oven and washing machine. There is also a dishwasher.
A serene space, the bedroom has simple pale walls. Every detail has been considered in the birch ply built-in wardrobes along one wall, right down to its cut-out handles and osmo-oiled oak veneer.
Recently renovated, the bathroom is grounded by a playfully textured terrazzo floor. Its walls are a harmonious combination of glazed ceramic tiles and a handsome burnt orange-painted section above. There is a built-in bath, a bespoke marble sink unit and a double-height skylight that casts light over the space.
The Area
Dunsmure Road is located within easy reach of the independent shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs of Stoke Newington. Much-loved Church Street is home to The Spence Bakery, Whole Foods and The Good Egg, as well as many other independent businesses. Newington Green lies beyond and is home to local favourites including Primeur and Jolene.
There are several green spaces nearby; Woodberry Wetlands is close, as is Clissold Park, with its tennis courts, café, lakes and resident deer.
Stoke Newington is very popular with young families, in part due to the number of good schools in the area. There are two excellent primary schools on Dunsmure Road: Holmleigh Primary School and Sir Thomas Abney.
Stoke Newington and Stamford Hill stations run Overground trains to Highbury and Islington, Shoreditch High Street and Stratford. Seven Sisters Underground (Victoria line) is a short bus ride away, as is Manor House station (Piccadilly line).
Tenure: Share of Freehold
Lease Length: Approx. 151 years remaining
Service Charge: Approx. £630 per annum
Council Tax Band: C